Finding 1221662 (2025-001)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
E
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2025
Accepted
2026-06-30
Audit: 405948
Organization: Gardner Housing Authority (MA)
Auditor: CBIZ CPAS PC

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: Missing income verification and improper utility allowances were found in tenant files, affecting rent calculations.
  • Impacted Requirements: Compliance with HUD regulations for documenting family income and determining rent payments was not met.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Implement a recertification checklist to ensure all necessary documentation is collected for tenant files.

Finding Text

2025-001 – ELIGIBILITY: RENT CALCULATION Other Matter/Material Weakness U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development ALN #: 14.871 – Housing Voucher Cluster CRITERIA For both family income examinations and reexamination, obtain and document in the family file third-party verification of (1) reported family annual income (2) the value of assets (3) expenses related to deductions from annual income; and (4) other factors that affect the determination of adjusted income or income-based rent (24 CFR Section 982.516). Determine income eligibility and calculate the tenant’s rent payment using the documentation from third-party verification in accordance with 24 CFR Part 5 subpart F (24 CFR section 5.601 et seq.) (24CFR sections 982.201, 982.515, 982.516). CONDITION As a result of audit procedures, we identified 22 instances of missing income verification and 7 instances of improper utility allowances. CAUSE The Authority’s system of internal control over the participant recertification process was not sufficient to meet the requirements established by HUD. EFFECT Redetermination of tenant’s rent and the housing assistance payment was not performed in accordance with HUD regulations. As a result, tenants may have paid more or less in rent than they should have paid. QUESTIONED COSTS None noted. CONTEXT We selected a sample of 37 from a population of 106. This was not a statistically valid sample. REPEAT FINDING Repeat of finding 2024-001. RECOMMENDATION We recommend that the Authority develop and implement a recertification checklist to accompany the tenant file to ensure all required documentation is obtained. AUDITEE’S RESPONSE AND PLANNED CORRECTIVE ACTION See Corrective Action Plan.

Corrective Action Plan

Planned Implementation Date of Corrective Action: July 2026 Person Responsible for Corrective Action: Krishonna Murray, Executive Director I. 2025-001 Eligibility Rent Calculation Other Matter/Significant Deficiency The Authority had instances of missing income verification. Gardner Housing Authority has established a system of internal control over the participant recertification process that meets HUD's requirements. Seven (7) to ten (10) files will be reviewed fiscally for quality assurance.

Categories

HUD Housing Programs Eligibility Material Weakness

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
14.871 SECTION 8 HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHERS $1.33M